BWW Interviews: RENT Star Adam Pascal To Headline TUTS' BEHIND THE MASK GALA

TUTS will celebrate their educational and community programs with a gala set for April 25. Behind The Mask Gala is an evening of dining, dancing, and a silent auction supporting TUTS' theatre programs, such as The River Performing and Visual Arts Center, which provides fine arts classes to students with disabilities, The Humphreys School Of Musical Theatre, the Classes in the Community program, and the Tommy Tune Awards, which honors artists and high school drama departments for excellence in theatre. Broadway star and musician Adam Pascal will headline the entertainment at this exciting evening, making this event a hot ticket for any theatre-lover.

Adam Pascal just released his third solo album, Blinding Light. It is a gorgeous collection of songs, befitting an artist who wowed audiences with his award-winning performances in Jonathan Larsen's RENT and Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA. Though Pascal excudes passion and emotion so well in his music and performances, he's fairly introverted and gentle off-stage. We talked about RENT, his new album, and, of all things, cookies.

BWW: You were a mere 12 years old when you started singing in bands! Who were your musical influences? What bands did you love back then? What artists do you listen to now?

Adam Pascal: My earliest influences were bands like the Beatles, Billy Joel and Elton John. But It wasn't until I discovered groups like Iron Maiden, Queen, Led Zeppelin and Van Halen did I start singing and want to actually make my own music. I would say I still listen to all these artists pretty regularly. Additionally I'm a fan of many Broadway composers like Jason Robert Brown and Stephen Sondheim.

BWW: One of the things I love about your voice is that it has an emotionally raw quality to it; you seem to be completely unguarded in your emotional expression. Are you this open off-stage or outside of the recording studio?

A.P.: No not at all. My emotional expression most definitely comes out in my music and singing. I'm not very expressive in my day to day life. I feel much more comfortable emoting within the protective shell of music. I would say that is probably why many people write songs. Because they have a hard time expressing feelings in day to day life. I think my writing reflects a desire to connect, a desire for intimacy, that I find difficult to achieve without it.

BWW: You originated the role of Roger Davis in the Broadway mega-hit RENT, then went on to do the film version and reprised the role in the West End. What did you learn from playing that character?

A.P.: What I learned from playing Roger is the concept of forgiveness, especially when it comes to forgiving yourself. I learned how wallowing in regret and and anger is useless and is a waste of the infinitesimally short time we are alive on the planet.

BWW: Who are your heroes in the theatre world? Is there anyone you would be over-the-moon to work with?

A.P.: I am a huge fan of Colm Wilkinson. I think we have a lot in common vocally and I would love the chance to sing with him on stage.

BWW: I've been listening to your latest album, Blinding Light. It's really, really revelatory. My favorite song is "Will I Drown?" It's so vulnerable and pensive. I also love "Fade Out" for it's deceptive simplicity. I'm a sucker for a strong piano line. What songs on the album have an especially deep connection for you?

A.P.: Well the whole record is incredibly important to me. Up to that point, all my records have been guitar driven and I am such a fan of piano that to make a piano driven record was really a labour of love for me. I am such a huge fan of Larry Edoff's playing, that to get to have it be such a strong force in the sound of this record is such a thrill for me.

BWW: The highly-regarded Off-Broadway play FULLY COMMITTED was produced by you and fellow Rent cast member Jesse L. Martin. What did you like about producing?

A.P.: I just really love the oppurtunity to bring a piece of theater that I found so entertaining, to a wider audience and have it be so well received. Making people laugh is the greatest gift and I am honored that I got to have a part in bringing that hysterically funny show to the world.

BWW: Speaking of production, let's talk cookies! Along with being a busy musician, you are co-owner (with wife Cybele Pascal) of the allergen/gluten-free company Cybele's Free-To-Eat. Your wife's cookies can be found all over America! What's your favorite kind?

A.P.: Definitely the chocolate chip! Although we are about to introduce a Snickerdoodle that is so yummy. I might have a new favorite.

BWW: Yum! What's next for you? Blinding Light is fresh off the presses. Are all your energies focused on promotion right now, or do you have other projects in the works?

A.P.: I am currently writing a musical which is an adaptation of the M. Night Shaymaylan movie "Unbreakable".

Adam Pascal will be performing at TUTS' Behind The Mask Gala on April 25th at The Hobby Center For The Performing Arts. Individual tickets start at $1,000, tables of 10 start at $7,500.

For more information, go to: TUTS.com/Gala

Photo Credits: Courtesy Of The Artist's Website

Image provided by Theatre Under The Stars